Dialogue in and between Different Cultures - International ...

Cultural Dialogue between France and Spain 79
go right to the end. Strangely, this Spanish channel broadcasts the declarations of
the Bishop of Lyon, very critical about the CPE, whereas this ‘sacred’ support,
described as ‘unexpected’ by the Spanish journalists, was not mentioned in the
French news.
On the next day, the information is summed up in one block: the confrontation
of the actors is narrated (cada uno por su lado - “every one for him- or
herself”). Once again, the journalists highlight the festive atmosphere of the
demonstrators (los estudiantes están exultantes – (“the demonstrators are exultant”)
and signal the extension of the agitations in several universities, like the
Montpellier University.
We are told about several government activities and declarations. Villepin’s
contradiction is highlighted, when he says that he is ready for dialogue but he will
not withdraw the bill, while Chirac calls for responsibility and common sense.
The news end with a recall to the low popularity of the Prime Minister and
with some hypothesis about an eventual modification of the contract – un contrato
algo más descafeinado (“a somewhat more ‘caffeine free’ contract”).
In general, very few details are given on the March the 16 th demonstration. It
is rather a general presentation of the conflict. They do talk about disturbios
(“riots”) and about malestar social (“social unrest”), but the presentation evokes a
festive atmosphere, underlined by the previous allusion to May ‘68: the riots are
silenced and there is no distinction between demonstrators and rioters. On the
other hand, the CPE is defined highlighting the firing despido libre (“free
dismissal”).
The news is focused on the actors in conflict, the students – although without
eye-witness accounts – against the Government, with Villepin depicted as the
villain while Chirac has a rather fatherly role. No reference is made to the
previous reform attempts, which also failed. On the other hand, the allusion to
May ‘68 is not too well chosen, since it was a whole different social and political
moment and the motivations for the riots where completely different. Finally, the
allusion to the Archbishop of Lyon is also surprising, since nothing is said about
him in F2. Is this a sign of the social weight still present of the Catholic Church in
Spain?
In short, the information on national Spanish television is at the same time
more global and more superficial. We could ask if the viewer really understands
the issue. The journalists erase the unacceptable behaviour of the rioters; it seems
that they take sides uncritically with the demonstrators.
6. Perspective and social issue in TV3
On March 16 th 2006, the news on the demonstrations in France is presented by a
first descriptive exposition which initially refers to the main event, the demonstrations,
and then, to the clashes in Paris els carrers de París han estat avui escenari